Celebrities including Dame Judi Dench, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Annie Lennox and Ken Livingstone have told the government that “more people escape to the forest than the seaside” as they battle to save Britain’s forests from privatisation.

The claim was made in a letter from 100 dignitaries to the coalition government, demanding that plans to sell off 15% of land managed by the Forestry Commission are reconsidered.

The letter read: “”We, who love and use the forests, believe that such a sale would be misjudged and shortsighted.

“It is our heritage. We are an island nation yet more people escape to the forest than the seaside.”

The letter forms part of a widespread campaign against the sell-off of woodland, which could jeopardise access rights for people using the forests in their leisure time or on activity holidays.

The Environment secretary Caroline Spelman claims access rights will be retained but activists believe the £100 million of potential earnings through the sell-off will speak louder to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Fears have also been raised amongst environmental activists that the remaining 85% of Forestry Commission land in England – land that amounts to 620,000 acres – could also be sold off.

In a statement, Defra said: “We will not compromise the protection of our most valuable and biodiverse forests.

“The Forestry Commission has and will play an important role in protecting and expanding the trees, woods and forests in England.”

Amongst the forests that could potential face being sold off are The New Forest in Hampshire and Kielder Forest in Northumberland. While the former is considered a “heritage forest” and could be spared the sell-off if a conservation charity agrees to take it over, Kielder is a “commercial” forest.

However, Kielder’s status as a commercial forest doesn’t necessarily make it suitable for commercial use. The forest is home to 70 per cent of the UK’s red squirrels and is home to otters, ospreys and goshawks. This bounty of rare wildlife makes cottages in Northumberland a hugely popular destination for tourists and a sale of the forest could badly damage tourism in the area.

Similar predicaments could affect areas such as Grizedale, where the forest is a huge draw for walkers and cyclists, and The Forest of Dean, where thousands of holiday makers head to camp and caravan every year.

A petition with over 300,000 signatures is making its way to parliament and protests are being planned at forests around the country.

As January comes to an end, couples across the country are sharing in the slow, looming realisation that Valentine’s Day is on its way and we haven’t made any plans.

Many will scramble for a last-minute flight and try to catch a few February rays in sunnier climbs over the Valentine’s period. But there are plenty of more eco-friendly and more cost-effective ways to woo your loved one this year.

In the heart of the Lake District, the 2011 Keswick Film Festival handily coincides with Valentine’s weekend, offering lovers the chance to escape to a beautiful part of the country and enjoy some fabulous world cinema in one fell swoop.  The festival includes a number of new and unreleased films and tickets are available online now.

Traditional Cumbrian cottages in Keswick provide an ideal, cosy hideaway for star-crossed lovers to crack open the champagne and spend a weekend as lazily or as actively as they wish. If the film festival doesn’t float your boat, Keswick is the starting point for thousands of spectacular lakeside and hilltop strolls, with Derwentwater just 10 minutes walk away.

Another wonderfully green Valentine’s option is a visit to the Cerne Abbas Giant, carved in chalk into a hillside near the village of Cerne Abbas in Dorset. This ancient artwork, known locally as ‘The Rude Giant’ for his striking lack of modesty, is steeped in romantic traditions and is a popular attraction for visitors hoping to have a baby, as local folklore links the giant to fertility. A walk up over the hills near Cerne Abbas will cost you exactly what it will cost the earth – nothing at all! And if you want to keep your Dorset visit as green as possible, you’ll find a wealth of eco-friendly retreats, such as Monkton Wyld, where a number of fun, low-carbon activities and low impact residences are available.

Valentines flowers are pretty much obligatory purchases for many people, but you can give your bunch an extra special floral twist by slipping a couple of tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show into the bouquet. The show kicks off in May and tickets are available on the Royal Horticultural Society’s website.

If chocolate is more your thing but you don’t want to fly your valentine to Belgium, why not book walking tour of the finest chocolate boutiques in London. Chocolate Ecstasy Tours take you inside magical chocolate shops to taste their delicious chocolate truffles, bars and pralines. Travelling on foot, you’ll get to see the city as you go with no need to add to the already congested traffic on London’s roads.

As the snow melts and the frost thaws on Scotland’s hills, mountains and lakes over the coming months, a world of eco-friendly white knuckle rides will re-open to the thrill-seeking public.

Hill walkers, mountain bikers, kayakers and white water rafters will be heading north over the border into Scotland this spring to get their adrenaline fix and take advantage of the great open air theme park that is Scotland’s spectacular countryside.

Scotland proudly holds the title of Europe’s Adventure Capital and, whether you head to the Highlands, the Lothians, Perthshire or Fife, adventure holidays abound in every corner of the country.

The rivers of Scotland are a big draw for lovers of white water from all over the world. The meandering River Tay in Perthshire is an ideal spot to warm up before taking on the dramatic twists and turns of the River Findhorn as it makes its way through granite cliffs in the Highlands.

Scotland is the only place in Europe where adrenaline junkies can indulge in the phenomenon of river bugging. Strapped into something resembling a small, inflatable, rubber armchair, river bug riders bump and bounce their way along the rapids, through gorges and over waterfalls of the Tay, Tummel and Feshie rivers in Perthshire. On their way they will pass other active holiday makers trying their hands at canyoning, gorge walking and kayaking.

Safety is the number one priority on Scotland’s rivers and extreme sports insurance policies can be tailored to the needs of your trip.

Seasoned mountain bikers will tell you Scotland is second to none when it comes to rugged trails, woodland routes and downhill chases. If you’re in Scotland with your bike, you really are spoiled for choice. The Nevis Range at Fort William and Laggan Wolftrax at Newtonmore offer well-known routes to ride, while Glen Slighan on the Isle of Skye and Ryvoan Pass in the Cairngorms will test the mettle of more experienced bikers. Mountain bike insurance is available for your peace of mind.

For younger families, Scotland has a wealth of activities to offer. Kids can experience walking on water inside a huge inflatable ‘WoW’ ball, while those with a head for heights can find fantastic indoor climbing facilities in Edinburgh and Kinlochleven.

The spring wildlife in Scotland offers a unique chance to spot rare flora and fauna. Animal enthusiasts can even take a Forest Safari in Perthshire’s Caledonian pine forest, where they can see red squirrels and roe deer.

All of the above can be enjoyed safely and with minimal impact to Scotland’s precious natural landscapes by sticking to approved cycling and walking routes and not wandering into unknown territory.

Kenya safari holidays are a special and rewarding experience as they are an opportunity to view one of the world’s most majestic and powerful creatures.

The lion is the largest of Africa’s big cats; it is the second largest worldwide, next to the tiger. The lions are also the most social of the big cat family as they reside in prides of fifteen to twenty lioness’, with only two or three male lions. It is an honour to view the lions on Kenya safaris as they are representative of the country’s nationhood and feature in its Coat of Arms as a symbol of power and pride.

There are various types of Kenya safaris; you can visit many of Kenya’s National Parks or you can tour through the game reserves. In Kenya you can gain the true lion experience that can only originate from viewing lions in their natural habitat, where you can survey the lions mating, hunting and communicating in the hierarchy of their pride.

During your Kenya safari holidays you could journey to Tsavo to witness Kenya’s most dangerous species of lions. It is a rare opportunity as the prides consist of only one male and the males do not have manes. The Greater Tsavo project ensures that these maneless male lions are preserved.

A Kenya lion safari provides the advantage of seeing many other animals that you would see in typical Kenya safaris, including those other than lions from the ‘Big Five’; elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffaloes. The beauty of it is that you could venture on an extended lion safari for a week or two or you could fly in to Kenya for one day or you could go on a few lion safaris during your vacation package.

Responsible travel’ offers a nine day safari; the first six days are with a lion expert in the Shaba and Samburu areas and the last three days at Porini Lion Camp in Maasai Mara. At these destinations you will be able to view various prides of lions through the many bush walks, lion tracking and game drives that you will participate in. In Shaba you will reside overnight at Joy’s Camp for two days then you will move to Sasaab Camp to stay for three nights which is located in the West Gate Conservancy, below the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River. On the sixth day you will transfer to Porini Camp in Maasai Mara for the remainder of your Kenya safari holiday.

This Kenya lion safari is not merely a vacation, you will be participating in research that will contribute to the long-term conservation of the lions and 5% of your payment will be donated to Ewaso Lions Project. All the camps that you will visit hold great respect for the wildlife, they are keen to preserve the lions, birdlife and the wide range of mammals that reside there; all of which you will be able to view. Tourism is limited in order to ensure that the areas of the reservation remain natural and that no harm is done to the environment, thus your lion safari experience will be truly authentic.

For family holidays Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul, in the Marmara Region of north-western Turkey is a popular destination. It is unique as a “bi-continental” city, since the Istanbul Strait divides it into the European side to the west and Asian side to the east.

Amongst the many self-guided walking routes in the city, one popular walk takes in the crowded streets, landmarks and mosques of the eastern side, giving a chance to experience the true spirit of the Orient. The 2-hour, 3½-mile walk passes some major Istanbul landmarks. For example, the Maiden’s Tower, a major Istanbul landmark, dates from 400 BC and presents remarkable views of the Bosphorus, from its small islet, about 220 yards from the coast of Uskudar. The single-minaret Semsi Pasha Mosque, designed for the Grand Vizier of the same name, by Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan is small, but its diminutive stature, coupled with a scenic waterfront location with beautiful views of the Bosphorus, is considered amongst the most attractive in Istanbul.

The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is another Mimar Sinan design, completed in 1565 for the favourite daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent, Princess Mihrimah.

Its attractive, granite / marble minarets put it amongst the best known landmarks of the Asian part of Istanbul. Fethi Pasa Korusu (Fethi Pasha

Grove) is a large park on the hill reaching down to the Bosphorus shore.

Following many years of neglect, recent renovations have seen it reopen for public recreation. Completed in 1973, at a cost of $200 million, the mile-long Bosphorus Bridge was the first bridge to connect Asia and Europe since the Xerxes pontoon bridge in 480 BC. Since 2007, a computerized LED lighting system has illuminated the bridge at night. Beylerbeyi Palace, commissioned as a summer residence by Sultan Abdulaziz and completed in 1865, is one of the most beautiful palaces in Istanbul. Empress Eugenie of France visited in 1869, en route to opening the Suez Canal and was so impressed by its elegance that she had a copy of the guest-room window made for Tuileries Palace, Paris. The palace imprisoned deposed Sultan Abdulhamid II from 1912 until his 1918 death.

For family holidays Turkey’s largest city offers plenty of entertainment, in addition to walking and sightseeing. Recreational activities include swimming, shopping, eating out and a variety of sporting events.

Along the coastline, the mountains rise spectacularly from the shining sea, providing a striking rocky background to the Lycian Peninsula. The coast, with extensive pine forests, sandy beaches and coves is rich in history, with diminutive, long-established fishing villages and intriguing archaeological treasures from previous civilisations. Sunshine is virtually guaranteed for Turkey holidays, whilst the region contains many trails and paths that follow routes used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. For modern family holidays Turkey‘s Lycian Way is an easy to follow, well-marked trail with a total length of over 300 miles. With a wonderful mixture of empty beaches, mountains, ancient cities, culture and local hospitality, the Lycian Peninsula has become a much-loved destination for Turkey holidays.

For activity holidays Turkey offers opportunities to discover ancient Lycia by boat, canoe and kayak.

If you are looking for activity holidays Turkey will not disappoint, or if you prefer a relaxed sprawl on a beach Turkey holidays are the perfect choice too.

February will finally bring the UK’s long, cold winter to a close and as the chilly weather eases off, the lure of the great outdoors will be on many people’s minds.

The week-long half term break from school gives families the ideal chance to escape to the country for the first time in 2011, with prices for holiday cottages in Scotland, the Lake District and Yorkshire still very much affordable in the month of February.

For thousands of children across the UK, half term will mean a week spent indoors, hours whiled away on computer games or watching TV. Bored, restless kids spending a week kicking around the house will not only be a burden to busy parents – they will also crank up the energy demands on the national grid as they pass the time staring at screens in warm, centrally heated homes.

Families seeking to avoid the half term holiday blues can find an endless supply of healthy, eco-friendly activities all over the north of the UK to keep the kids busy.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park attracts visitors all year round, as travellers and tourists explore the spectacular hills, fields and valleys. The Three Peaks mountain range, consisting of Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent and Whernside represent an achievable challenge to walkers and cyclists of all ages and, after a successful tour of the three summits, children will be able to tell their schoolmates that they have conquered three of England’s tallest mountains.

A family of four will find holiday cottages in the Yorkshire Dales available for under £300 for a week-long stay, and the prices are just as competitive in the Lake District.

Whether it’s waterskiing on Lake Windermere or dirt biking in Grizedale Forest, Cumbria has a list of activities and days out to get pulses racing and kids smiling. Accomodation in Windermere and surrounding towns and villages is hard to come by in the summer months, making February half term the ideal time to take the family to experience the lakes.

Less targeted by tourists but just as scenic as the Lake District is the Northumberland National Park, where a unique array of wildlife and wonderful views await visitors in February.

A walk along Hadrian’s Wall can make for a fun history lesson for children – not to mention a chance to re-enact scenes from Braveheart! The Scottish borders are an ideal place to spot rare birds and animals, so packing the binoculars is a must.

Northumbria coast and country cottages start at as little as £200 for a week and the vast expanse of open countryside comes as part of the deal.

Tanzania is Africa in its purest form. It is home to some of the largest and best known African game reserves such as the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. A Tanzania safari holiday will allow you to see giraffes, lions and elephants as well as many other big game animals in their natural environments. Moreover, this is an ancient landscape that was home to some of the early hominids, as shown by the important archaeological site at the Olduvai Gorge, which is open to visitors. Tanzanian culture is friendly, energetic and joyful easily allowing visitors to join in. All our Tanzania holidays aim to create an unforgettable experience for visitors as well as support local communities.

A safari is a favourite option for many for their Tanzania adventure holidays. On our safaris visitors will spend a few nights camping in the bush as a way of experiencing the real African landscape. It is often an unforgettable experience for many visitors to listen to the sounds of the bush or to watch the millions of stars visible in the dark African sky at night. Camping in the bush also allows us to minimize our energy consumption and reduce our carbon footprint.

We always use local guides and touring companies for our Tanzania holidays as a way to invest in local communities, improve training and job prospects for locals and encourage wildlife conservation by local communities. All our local tour operators are well trained in responsible tourism and receive regular input from us. Wherever possible, the food we use on our Tanzania holidays is locally grown and sourced. Additionally, we recycle our waste and make sure we never leave rubbish at any of our campsites.

A typical Tanzania safari holiday will include visits to the Serengeti National Park, the Tarangine National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Olduvai Gorge and Lake Manyara. We only organize small groups with a maximum of 10 visitors per tour. Additionally, we only use a maximum of 3 vehicles per trip, two for guests and one for staff and equipment to minimize our environmental impact. Whenever we stay at a hotel we use locally owned lodges.

Of course one can also easily combine a safari with a relaxing stay at a beach club on the Indian Ocean. This allows visitors to enjoy and experience the African bush and the big game animals as well as relax in style on Tanzania adventure holidays. Travelling with us means that visitors can be sure that their holiday also contributes to the wellbeing of local communities and the local environment.

Kenya is an amazing country to visit. It has beautiful white beaches and the clear blue water of the Indian Ocean. It also has some of the most stunning National Parks in Africa and seeing big game on Kenya safaris is a highlight for many visitors, who also enjoy the vibrancy and joyfulness of African culture that extends a warm welcome to all.

Our beach club Kenya holiday allows visitors to have the option of staying in a central hotel or with small, locally owned establishments close to our main club site in Kilifi, which is situated on the Indian Ocean between Malindi and Mombasa. The club is set in 40 acres of beautiful, tropical gardens. Included in the price of the beach club Kenya holiday are all the equipment for dinghy sailing, windsurfing and mountain biking. There are excellent opportunities for diving and snorkeling in the nearby Malindi-Watamu National Park.

Our club site on the Kilifi tidal estuary also offers superb sailing opportunities for advanced sailors and beginners alike. For those who want to sail into the deep blue, the Indian Ocean offers a beautiful cruising area whilst beginners can stay within the river estuary to enjoy sailing in a safe location. The trade winds offer reliable and predictable sailing conditions. Moreover, we also offer RYA approved sailing courses for those who are complete beginners or those who want to learn more. Further options for outdoor pursuits include sea kayaking and mountain biking.

It is easy to combine a beach holiday with different Kenya safaris allowing you to see elephants, giraffes and lions in their natural habitat as well as relax in comfort on a beach. We always cooperate with trustworthy, local companies to provide guides and equipment for our Kenya safari holidays thereby supporting local communities and contributing to wild life conservation. A typical safari will include camping in the bush on some nights, which allows visitors to enjoy a unique sense of being part of this ancient and wild landscape and to see the African sky at night.

We try to source all our food for our Kenya safari holidays from locally grown sources to minimize our environmental impact and support the local economy. Wherever possible, we train and promote local staff to improve their job prospects and increase the possibility of cultural exchange between visitors and locals. Our aim is to make a difference to local communities as well as offer an unforgettable holiday to our visitors. Join us to experience the magic of Kenya safaris and the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

The Republic of Kenya is a country on the eastern coast of Africa. It shares its borders with Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda and the capital city is Nairobi. Other major cities include Mombasa and Kisumu. It seems modern man first appeared in Kenya, so it may claim the title of being the cradle of mankind. With more than 40 different ethnic groups in Kenya, it is a very interesting and diverse country. The Swahili phrase, “Hakuna matata” (don’t worry and enjoy life) has been made famous by Disney’s “The Lion King”. Many tourists go on Kenya safaris to explore the cultural richness of the country.

The most important ethnic groups are the Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo and Kalenjin.

These groups are encouraged to retain their ethnic individuality and cultural tourism promotes this. A popular and effective way to experience the country is by homestays, which involves living in the house with a local family for several days, experiencing village life and contributing to the work done. Many Kenya safaris include weeklong stays in cultural villages such as Bombolulu, which also has a workshop. There are also visits to the Riuki Cultural Centre where tourists experience the life of the Kikuyu tribe, the largest of the ethnic groups.

Those on Kenya safari holidays often visit the world famous Maasai tribe in the Rift Valley, whose fearless, strong warriors are admired by all. This ethnic group still lives largely as their forefathers did for centuries, as nomads grazing their extensive herds of cattle, living in manyattas or enclosed homesteads. Their coloured bead ornaments are much sought after and their warrior ‘Jump Songs’ feature all over the world. Their men paint their bodies and hair liberally with red ochre.

The Mijikenda are a group of nine different ethnicities with very similar dialects and cultures. Many Kenya safari holidays will take tourists to one of these villages, like that of the Digo people, to learn about their food, gender roles and rituals. You will be taken to visit a kaya or sacred forest, listed as a UN World Heritage Site.

Other tribes to visit are the Kamba, famous for witchcraft practices, the Kalenjin with their excellent long distance runners and the Luhya who demonstrate their Isikuti dance and bull wrestling. The Samburu and Turkana tribes are also of interest. The Mombasa Cultural Centre promotes the Swahili language and culture. Together with English, Swahili (the most widely spoken African language) is one of the two official languages in Kenya.

Just outside Mombasa, the Ngomomgo villages contain built homesteads representing particular Kenyan tribes, complete with tribesmen and activities unique to the specific tribe. Visitors may participate in some of the ceremonies.

Hand made wares to purchase include sisal baskets, simulated elephant hair bracelets, smooth soapstone carvings called Kissi stone, beautiful two-tone ebony wood carvings and tribal masks. People on Kenya safaris are often taken to arts and craft markets, which are found in all the major tourist centres and offer a wide variety of quality items.

Tourists on Kenya safari holidays will certainly not be disappointed in what the country has to offer.

Commuters in Peterborough have received recognition for their efforts to use environmentally friendly methods to get to work.

The sixth annual Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Workplace Travel Plan Awards took place at Peterborough Town Hall on Tuesday and representatives from 25 local firms were there to pick up awards.

By opting to walk, cycle or utilise public transport rather than drive their cars to work, commuters have helped to reduce the number of cars on the roads in the Peterborough area. Car pooling initiatives have also contributed to the positive steps being taken to reduce the levels of harmful emissions being released into the atmosphere on Peterborough’s roads.

The awards recognised various levels of achievement, from early stage commitment through to development, implementation and excellence. Businesses involved in the travel plans included Cancer Research UK, Crowne Plaza, Ernst & Young, Huntingdonshire Regional College, Cambridgeshire County Council, The Royal Society of Chemistry and Eversheds International Law Firm.

Councillor Samantha Dalton, cabinet member for Environment Capital, told the Peterborough Evening Telegraph: “Having a travel plan that encourages all forms of travel benefits both staff and employers. Commuters benefit from improved physical and mental health along with healthier bank balances.”

Peterborough is the UK’s home of Environment Capital and boasts over 350 eco-businesses within the city, making it the largest environmental and goods services sector in Britain. The city also contains 29 conservation areas and has applied to build the largest number of zero carbon homes in the UK.

The Travel Plan Awards were presented by Philip Darnton, the chairman of Cycling England – a body that was set up by the Department for Transport in 2005 to promote the growth of cycling in England, encouraging communities to embrace the benefits of cycling to personal health and the environment.

Mr Darnton presented the awards on behalf of Peterborough City Council’s Travelchoice team and the Cambridgeshire Travel for Work Partnership.

The Travel for Work Partnership has played a key role in getting Peterborough’s commuters to embrace green travel. The partnership offers free membership to employers, who can then take advantage of lower transport costs, the re-use of car parking space, and benefit from having a healthier, more productive workforce.

As well as bringing benefits to the companies involved, the Travel for Work partnership aims to improve local air quality, reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, reduce local noise levels and reduce traffic congestion.